Hockley County's composite score of 66.8 equals Texas's state average and significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0. This positioning reflects a county that meets state norms while outperforming most American counties.
2 / 5
Exactly At Texas Median
Hockley's score of 66.8 matches the Texas state average precisely, meaning it's a quintessential Texas county in livability terms. Neither leading nor lagging the state, it represents a balanced Texas experience.
3 / 5
Lowest Rent in the Group
Hockley's cost score of 83.3 is the highest in this set, with median rent at just $813/month and homes averaging $112,700. For renters and budget-builders, few Texas counties offer better value.
4 / 5
Limited Income Opportunities
The income score of 19.2 is among the lowest, with median household income at $54,810, indicating sparse job growth or lower-wage employment patterns. Safety, health, school, and water data remain unavailable.
5 / 5
For Minimalist, Flexible Earners
Hockley suits remote workers, retirees on fixed income, and families with flexible or portable earnings who want ultra-low living costs. Its small-town character and minimal rent make it ideal for those not dependent on local jobs.
Hockley County's composite score of 66.8 equals Texas's state average and significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0. This positioning reflects a county that meets state norms while outperforming most American counties.
Exactly At Texas Median
Hockley's score of 66.8 matches the Texas state average precisely, meaning it's a quintessential Texas county in livability terms. Neither leading nor lagging the state, it represents a balanced Texas experience.
Lowest Rent in the Group
Hockley's cost score of 83.3 is the highest in this set, with median rent at just $813/month and homes averaging $112,700. For renters and budget-builders, few Texas counties offer better value.
Limited Income Opportunities
The income score of 19.2 is among the lowest, with median household income at $54,810, indicating sparse job growth or lower-wage employment patterns. Safety, health, school, and water data remain unavailable.
For Minimalist, Flexible Earners
Hockley suits remote workers, retirees on fixed income, and families with flexible or portable earnings who want ultra-low living costs. Its small-town character and minimal rent make it ideal for those not dependent on local jobs.
Score breakdown
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🏛60.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.480%, Hockley County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.199%, placing it in the 62nd percentile. Despite modest home values of $112,700, the median tax of $1,668 remains well below the national median of $2,690.
Above average for Texas
Hockley County's 1.480% effective rate ranks above Texas's 1.276% state average, positioning it among the higher-taxing counties statewide. The median property tax of $1,668 sits 24% below the state median of $2,193 due to lower home valuations.
Moderate for the Panhandle
Hockley's 1.480% rate sits between Hemphill (1.164%) and Hill (1.234%), making it moderately taxed for West Texas. The lower absolute tax bill ($1,668) reflects rural property values more than competitive positioning.
What $112,700 home costs yearly
A median-priced Hockley County home generates $1,668 in annual property taxes under standard conditions, or $2,574 with a mortgage. That's approximately $139 per month—relatively affordable despite the above-average tax rate.
Appeal agricultural overvaluations
Agricultural and rural properties in Hockley County sometimes carry inflated assessed values; an appeal based on comparable farmland sales can yield significant savings. Filing a challenge is free and many successful appeals reduce taxes by 10–20%.
Hockley County renters spend 17.8% of income on rent, slightly above the national ideal but genuinely affordable in real-world terms. With median income at $54,810—below the national median—the county's $813 rent makes housing one of life's easier expenses.
Below-average burden in West Texas
Hockley's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio undercuts Texas's 18.1% state average, positioning it among the state's more affordable counties. At $813 monthly rent, this South Plains county beats even the state median by 16%.
Cheapest rents in the entire group
Hockley's $813 median rent is the lowest here—$133 cheaper than Hemphill and hundreds less than Hays or Hood. Even homeowners pay modestly at $690 monthly, making this rural West Texas county the budget choice overall.
Housing costs just $1,503 monthly
Renters allocate 17.8% of the $54,810 income to rent, while homeowners commit 15.1% to mortgages—combined roughly 33%. This leaves households more income for healthcare, education, and savings than most Texas counties.
West Texas's best affordability bet
Hockley delivers genuine value: $813 rents, $112,700 home prices, and a 17.8% rent burden that won't bankrupt you. If you're willing to embrace West Texas plains living and lower incomes, Hockley offers the most breathing room in this county set.
Hockley County's median household income of $54,810 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $19,945—a gap of 26.7%. The county ranks among lower-income communities nationally, reflecting economic constraints in the Texas plains.
Below Texas average in household earnings
Hockley County's median household income of $54,810 falls 15.4% below Texas's state average of $64,737. With per capita income of $30,131 running 9.3% below the state average of $33,197, the county faces income challenges across demographics.
Lowest earner among sampled counties
Hockley County's $54,810 median household income ranks it among the lowest in this eight-county sample, trailing even Hidalgo County ($52,281) only narrowly. The county's plains economy shows limited high-wage employment relative to regional peers.
Housing costs moderate but consequential
Hockley County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% is relatively favorable, with housing consuming less than 1 in 5.6 dollars of gross income. At $112,700, median home values are quite affordable, leaving modest income households with financial flexibility.
Build savings despite income constraints
Hockley County households earning at the median should prioritize automating small savings amounts and exploring employer 401(k) matches, no matter how modest. The county's affordable housing enables even lower-income households to redirect funds toward emergency reserves and long-term investments.
Hockley County's 71.0-year life expectancy is the lowest in this dataset, falling 3.5 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. With 24.1% reporting poor or fair health and 22.5% uninsured, the county's health crisis is acute.
Texas's shortest life expectancy here
At 71.0 years, Hockley County has the lowest life expectancy in this Texas comparison, falling 3.3 years below the state average of 74.3 years. The 22.5% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 19.8%, compounding health access challenges.
Hockley struggles most among peers
Hockley County's 71.0-year life expectancy is the shortest in the entire comparison, trailing Hays County by 8.4 years and Hood County by 5 years. Its 24.1% poor/fair health rate ranks among the highest, reflecting severe underlying health issues.
Providers available but residents can't afford them
Despite having 61 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 84 mental health providers per 100,000—relatively strong availability—Hockley's 22.5% uninsured rate means many cannot access care. The combination of economic hardship and lack of coverage is driving the county's dismal life expectancy.
Coverage is urgent in Hockley County
With the nation's lowest life expectancy in this dataset and high uninsured rates, getting covered in Hockley County is a health emergency. Medicaid and marketplace subsidies can help—visit healthcare.gov or call 211 today.
Hockley County's composite risk score of 51.43 ranks it as "Relatively Low" and only slightly above the national average. The West Texas county benefits from relative safety compared to many peers despite concentrated wildfire and tornado exposure.
Near-average risk for Texas
With a score of 51.43 versus the state average of 49.00, Hockley County is almost exactly at Texas's mean risk level. The county's West Texas location creates specific hazards while avoiding the extreme exposure of coastal or eastern regions.
Safest of the West Texas cluster
Hockley County's 51.43 score is notably lower than the surrounding panhandle region, positioning it as the safest county in its area. The county's more moderate overall risk reflects its distance from both coastal hurricane zones and east Texas flood zones.
Wildfire and tornado are primary hazards
Wildfire risk stands at 76.18 and tornado risk at 74.55, making severe weather and drought-fire the county's main vulnerabilities. All other hazards—flood (24.78), earthquake (29.23), and hurricane (25.99)—are well below statewide averages.
Focus on severe weather and wildfire coverage
Hockley residents should ensure homeowners insurance covers wind damage from tornadoes and straight-line winds, and verify wildfire coverage is included or available. Maintain defensible space around structures and stay weather-aware during spring severe season.